Geothermal energy for desalination to secure food security: Case study in Djibouti

Abstract

Background: By the year 2025, nearly 3.5 billion people in the world will have no water, including 900,000 from Djibouti. The economic losses caused by the 2000-2012 drought pushed the country to a state of disaster. This has devastated Djibouti's economy and left millions hungry. This is due to the country's inability to grow food and dependence on the food imports. The 5 US$ million granted by the WB was not able to reduce the hunger and prevent further increase in poverty and social unrest due to want of food and water. This paper provides a solution to create a self-sustainable society that can live above the current poverty line. Methods: The study was carried out based on field investigation and published literature. Desalination cost comparison between fossil fuel-based technology and renewable energy-based technology was carried out based on data from working plants. These data were used to analyse the cost-benefit ratio of fresh water generated from seawater and its use in securing food to the population. Results: By developing the geothermal resources, the country can be lifted above the poverty line. What the country needs, to come out of this crisis, is fresh water supply. The country's geothermal energy resource can generate 900 × 106 kWh of electricity. The electricity required to generate 1000 m3/day (10 × 106 kg/year) of fresh water from the sea is about 11 × 106 MWh. The cost of desalinated water through geothermal energy sources is 1.6 US$/m3 which is far less than the desalinated water generated through any other energy source. Billions of dollars given as aid for poverty alleviation can be utilized to develop geothermal power plants to provide permanent food security to the country. Conclusions: The rural population of Djibouti can improve their socio-economic status and secure food security and eradicate hunger through geothermal energy source. Local governments also should play an important role in advising the funding institutions to develop geothermal power projects to support agricultural activity and create employment to the rural population and support a sustainable society.